Schumacher's family at his bedside; fans to hold 'silent' birthday vigil

Schumacher's family at his bedside; fans to hold 'silent' birthday vigil

To Michael Schumacher’s fervent fans the seven time world champion will always be simply the best - a giant whose fame transcends the sport and whose name is familiar even to those with scant passion for motor racing.

'Schumi', 'Schuey', 'The Red Baron', 'Der Weltmeister' (world champion): The German won an unprecedented 91 races and set record after record including five titles in a row with glamour team Ferrari between 2000 and 2004.

The prayers and tide of goodwill messages continue to pour in as the most successful F1 racer in history lies in critical condition in hospital in Grenoble after a skiing accident in the French Alps.

Fans of Michael Schumacher will hold a ‘silent’ vigil for the injured Formula 1 driver to mark his 45th birthday on Friday, Ferrari says.

Image: Ferrari flags are seen in front of the CHU Nord hospital emergency unit in Grenoble, French Alps, where Michael Schumacher is hospitalized after a ski accidentPhotographs: Robert Pratta/Reuters

Schumacher's family at his bedside; fans to hold 'silent' birthday vigil

Ferrari clubs from France and Italy are to gather outside his hospital in the French city of Grenoble in the morning.

Ferrari, Schumacher's former driving team, said buses had been organised to transport the Italian and French fans to Grenoble for the tribute.

Ferrari spokesman Renato Bisignani said people were being encouraged to dress in red and bring flags, as "a sign of closeness to Michael Schumacher, done in a very respectful way".

But the spokesman insisted that the event was not about promoting the Ferrari brand or its clients.

Image: Dario, a Ferrari local fan, displays flags in front of the entrance of the emergency services at the CHU Nord hospital in Grenoble, French Alps, where retired seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher is hospitalized after a ski accidentPhotographs: Charles Platiau/Reuters